Green Dating: Why Eco-Friendly Values Matter In Relationships

There’s something to be said about climate change taking over our dating lives!

At a time when commonalities and mutual interests are bringing people together – or driving them apart – it was only time that the raging climate issue made its way into our bed, bath and beyond. Dating in 2025 is a lot more than just spending time together and planning a future together; it’s also about sharing the same set of values. Which is fair because how could one build a life with someone if they aren’t on the same page about everything that matters, right? And what constitutes this ‘what matters’ part now includes being environmentally conscious, among other things.

Welcome to the world of Green Dating. Partners are being chosen basis their eco-conscious behaviours and whether or not they’re vegetarian or vegan. Donald Trump might still be in denial but the youth of today is certainly waking up and asking everyone to smell their coffee, tea or whatever else is their beverage of choice.

What is Green Dating?

In simple words, green dating involves choosing and/or rejecting partners basis their eco-conscious behaviour. You’re looking for someone who is compatible with you, yes, but also sustainable in his lifestyle and vegetarian, if not vegan, in his food choices.

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People who aren’t conscious of their carbon footprint, aren’t practicing composting and continue to eat meat are obviously not earning (vegan) brownie points. Bonus points if you’re part of one of those save-the-ocean groups, and/or rescuing birds and animals. And you can’t be seen wearing fast fashion brands either.

Is green dating getting popular?

Short answer: Yes. Slightly longer one: Yes and how!

At a time when climate change continues to be the biggest threat to our planet, it’s no surprise that the generation now – which is, probably, the most likely to face the consequences of it – is looking at their relationships in a new light. They’re sure of their own life choices and want someone who both understands and complements the same. How you look and how much you earn is great but if you’re not following the same lifestyle choices, it’s not going to work. And if you’re on the board of the climate change denial committee, don’t even bother!

While there are a lot of green dating websites that have propped up, most people are practicing it on general apps as well. Tinder, Bumble, blah, blah, blah, you get the drift. And it’s getting rather popular – Gen Z is nothing if not woke, after all.

As per a 2022 survey, Tinder reported a three-time increase in the usage of terms like ‘eco-conscious’ by its users in their bios, suggesting that people were looking to match with someone with the same belief system. A 56% rise in terms like ‘thrifting’ was a sign that fast fashion was out and wearing climate-conscious clothing was the new ‘in’ thing.

Even Bumble reported an upward trend in its users heading towards green dating choices. When choosing badges for their profile, 28% chose environmentalism.

This was three years ago. You can imagine how much this has increased since.

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How to go about green dating?

I’d suggest you start with having an honest conversation with yourself. Are you truly leading an eco-conscious life? The answer to that will help you assess if you are even ready for such a thing. From giving up meat to reducing your fuel usage, there’s a lot one has to give up to attain a more sustainable way of living. If you’re convinced you have what it takes, go right ahead.

The next part is filtering out probable date options for yourself on a dating app of your choice. You need to be sure of your value system and ensure your date is aligned to it too. The easiest way is to mention it clearly in your bio or opt for a badge that says so. Don’t forget to add vegan/vegetarian in your profile too. Yes, most people tend to not read profiles but even then, you should do your bit.

Upon receiving a match, make sure you inform your match right away that you’re into green dating and they should look elsewhere if they’re not on the same page as you.

And once you have found your green flag (pun absolutely intended!), here are a few first-date options you could try:

Eco-Friendly Dates 

Instead of meeting someone at a bar or coffee shop, invite them for a walk in the park or a hike instead. You could even go to a botanical garden or plant nursery together.

Vegan Restaurants 

Plant-based restaurants are all the rage right now, and grabbing a meal there will also fit in with your dietary choices. If the place also happens to be a sustainable business, even better.

Volunteering Together 

An early morning beach-clean up date isn’t a bad idea. Nor is spending a few hours together at an animal shelter together. Or visiting a recycling plant.

While you’re at it, make sure to avoid excess (if any) fuel usage, food wastage and plastic use. Do not wear fast fashion brands either. And make sure to have a pleasant demeanour – whether or not you’re into green dating!

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